Chasing Away the Blues

Since last year's massive cheating scandal, West Point just cannot seem to get back to normal. Last week, a three-general board of investigators reported that the military academy suffered from poor morale, resistance to change and "a slackening of the pursuit of excellence." Their report cited such cadet slang terms as "cool on academics" and "cooperate and graduate'' as indicative of the attitude of a large majority of a typical class. Perhaps worst of all, the officers said, "a relatively humorless atmosphere seems to prevail. A certain grimness marks many of the cadets."

The generals largely endorsed the academy's superstrict honor code but urged officials to differentiate "between a college prank ... and a serious intent to deceive, which compromises honor." For example, the study noted the "classic dilemma [of] whether placing unauthorized articles in a laundry bag is an honor violation." As further morale boosters, the generals urged the Point to foster a sense of humor among cadets--and produce a winning football team.

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